Low Cost Carriers…who is the best ?
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I completely agree with Craggenmore's assessment of EZY.
EZY is probably the best one out of the bunch, but I doubt that you want to do that for the rest of your life. Just get the hours and get out...if you can, because nowadays the only jobs seem to be in the low cost airlines.
People in their early '30's that now brag about earning 125k/year will probably be BEGGING the company for part time in say 10 years time. It's a total illusion that you can keep that up until you're 65! For the same reason that you do flex thrust take offs, and just like TOGA has a 5/10 minute limit on it, you can't work on 'TOGA' your entire life! These kids have no idea yet how aviation will wear you out by the time you hit >40 and it would be interesting to see what a person looks like who has worked his entire career, full time (!), for a low cost airline.
However, if you play it smart, live modestly and invest those 125k wisely by paying off debt and/or for example buying property which generates rent income, then perhaps the low cost route can work out for some individuals. Having another source of income will allow you to 'throttle back' by the time you hit 40. Nevertheless, when I was in EZY, I only saw dumb spoiled kids (not only from rich parents but also with blue collar background) who squandered it all on fast cars, gadgets with a fruit logo on it and expensive girlfriends with a craving for handbags and shoes with a certain logo on it.
Another stumbling block is that most companies generally are very reluctant to give you part time. They rather have you worn out which is something that motivates you to leave, which then makes room for a cheaper person to take your place. It's a win-win scenario for the airlines, and since >40 it will be hard for you to leave, you'll find yourself stuck/trapped in a golden cage: cumulatively worn out, yet working full time earning 125k with nowhere to run. Great...
IMHO it's not the block hours that will wear you out, but it's the relentless pressure of those quick turn arounds, the short flights (never really being able to have a breather and for instance eat your meal in peace and quiet), the constant noise day in day out, and constantly going from earlies to lates. It's all cumulative, something you will realize quickly once you've left the low cost business behind and start working for a company where maybe...just very maybe, you'll survive both mentally and physically long enough till the day you retire.
EZY is probably the best one out of the bunch, but I doubt that you want to do that for the rest of your life. Just get the hours and get out...if you can, because nowadays the only jobs seem to be in the low cost airlines.
People in their early '30's that now brag about earning 125k/year will probably be BEGGING the company for part time in say 10 years time. It's a total illusion that you can keep that up until you're 65! For the same reason that you do flex thrust take offs, and just like TOGA has a 5/10 minute limit on it, you can't work on 'TOGA' your entire life! These kids have no idea yet how aviation will wear you out by the time you hit >40 and it would be interesting to see what a person looks like who has worked his entire career, full time (!), for a low cost airline.
However, if you play it smart, live modestly and invest those 125k wisely by paying off debt and/or for example buying property which generates rent income, then perhaps the low cost route can work out for some individuals. Having another source of income will allow you to 'throttle back' by the time you hit 40. Nevertheless, when I was in EZY, I only saw dumb spoiled kids (not only from rich parents but also with blue collar background) who squandered it all on fast cars, gadgets with a fruit logo on it and expensive girlfriends with a craving for handbags and shoes with a certain logo on it.
Another stumbling block is that most companies generally are very reluctant to give you part time. They rather have you worn out which is something that motivates you to leave, which then makes room for a cheaper person to take your place. It's a win-win scenario for the airlines, and since >40 it will be hard for you to leave, you'll find yourself stuck/trapped in a golden cage: cumulatively worn out, yet working full time earning 125k with nowhere to run. Great...
IMHO it's not the block hours that will wear you out, but it's the relentless pressure of those quick turn arounds, the short flights (never really being able to have a breather and for instance eat your meal in peace and quiet), the constant noise day in day out, and constantly going from earlies to lates. It's all cumulative, something you will realize quickly once you've left the low cost business behind and start working for a company where maybe...just very maybe, you'll survive both mentally and physically long enough till the day you retire.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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In some ways the question in the title is largely spurious. It does not really matter who is the best - it only really matters who you can get a job with. Very few people have a genuine choice between easyJet, Ryanair, Germany Wings, Jet2 or Monarch. The best someone often has is a choice between leaving one and joining the other. In most cases people are just desperate for jobs and are only in the running for one company or the other, and whatever job they get offered they grab gratefully with both hands.
Regarding the long-term picture, I think I agree with our easyJet 'Alumnae' in the form of Craggenmore and Bokkenrijder. They have both flown for what is arguably the most reasonable of the low cost carriers, and the one for whom I still work - easyJet. I think that the cumulative effect is fundamentally negative, even though I always enjoy my job. There is so much that is good about working for easyJet, but if I was flying the line (particularly at a big base like Gatwick), the hassle factor is enormous over a long period of time. Every now and again is fine but five earlies is killing for most people over any length of time. As has been suggested, to do a whole career without going part-time would be difficult. EasyJet works for me, but I live half-way between the sim and the airport and get home every night. I am not counting the days until I retire but if I see a couple of standbys on my roster I am far from disappointed! Due to ageing relatives and kids married here in the UK, the sandpit is not a practical option for me at the moment. I am therefore of the view that I am a lucky man to be working for easyJet and cannot fault it. I do, however, think that a career in aviation is hard work for anyone - regardless of who you work for. The low cost carriers are even tougher places to be, but are the only option for many people. In terms of job security, remuneration, safety standards, training quality and so on easyJet would be very hard to beat. To fly full-time for 20 years, however, would be a big ask. I have unwittingly followed Bokkenrijder's advice and been financially cautious in order that I am not beholden to anyone in my later years - that would strike me as wise. You will always have your numpties who live beyond their means, but most people are sufficiently sensible to prepare for the future. Whether it is a million times better in Emirates or whatever I really do not know. I suspect there are frustrations working there too - there is no Air Utopia out there that I can see.
Regarding the long-term picture, I think I agree with our easyJet 'Alumnae' in the form of Craggenmore and Bokkenrijder. They have both flown for what is arguably the most reasonable of the low cost carriers, and the one for whom I still work - easyJet. I think that the cumulative effect is fundamentally negative, even though I always enjoy my job. There is so much that is good about working for easyJet, but if I was flying the line (particularly at a big base like Gatwick), the hassle factor is enormous over a long period of time. Every now and again is fine but five earlies is killing for most people over any length of time. As has been suggested, to do a whole career without going part-time would be difficult. EasyJet works for me, but I live half-way between the sim and the airport and get home every night. I am not counting the days until I retire but if I see a couple of standbys on my roster I am far from disappointed! Due to ageing relatives and kids married here in the UK, the sandpit is not a practical option for me at the moment. I am therefore of the view that I am a lucky man to be working for easyJet and cannot fault it. I do, however, think that a career in aviation is hard work for anyone - regardless of who you work for. The low cost carriers are even tougher places to be, but are the only option for many people. In terms of job security, remuneration, safety standards, training quality and so on easyJet would be very hard to beat. To fly full-time for 20 years, however, would be a big ask. I have unwittingly followed Bokkenrijder's advice and been financially cautious in order that I am not beholden to anyone in my later years - that would strike me as wise. You will always have your numpties who live beyond their means, but most people are sufficiently sensible to prepare for the future. Whether it is a million times better in Emirates or whatever I really do not know. I suspect there are frustrations working there too - there is no Air Utopia out there that I can see.
